Thousands of racegoers will converge on Epsom Downs for this classic event and bookmakers are expecting a record turnover.

Here are the horses.

BORDER ARROW Finished third to King of Kings in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas and was third again after a good fight against Saratoga Springs in the Dante Stakes at York.

The bookies don't seem too bothered, but such solid form suggests you could do a lot worse than have a nibble each-way.

CAPE VERDI This could be the headline grabber. With Frankie Dettori in the saddle, Cape Verdi is out to become the first filly to triumph in the Derby since 1916.

Only six fillies have won the showpiece in its 218-year history, but this could easily be the magnificent seventh. Was impressive winning the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, and her owners have taken a bold gamble by opting for the Derby ahead of the potentially easier Oaks.

CITY HONOURS Always looked a jaunty juvenile with Peter Chapple-Hyam, has shown some useful signs of form after joining the Goldophin stable over the winter. Finished second to Saratoga Springs in the Dante Stakes at York and is likely to be quite high in the betting when the bookies put chalk to board on the downs.

Room for further improvement, but Godolphin connections clearly expect greater things from Cape Verdi.

COURTEOUS Useful form at Sandown's Thresher Classic Trial, beating Friendly by six lengths on very soft ground.

Has an outside chance, but in reality this is in a different league to the romp at Sandown.

GREEK DANCE Looks set to start as favourite after a flurry of activity at the bookmakers on Friday. Quickly came down to 100-30 to challenge Second Empire at the head of the list. "He is our biggest ante-post loser and we expect him to start favourite on the day," said a Corals spokesman.

Has won well at Newmarket and York, and trainer Michael Stoute has been tuning the colt for this big occasion. Walter Swinburn is in the saddle, chasing his fourth Derby win.

GULLAND Among the favourites at 8-1, putting himself in the picture with a close second to Xaar in Newmarket's Craven Stakes.

But had to work hard after being well backed in the Chester Vase, just nudging ahead of The Glow-Worm by a short head. That may have raised a slight alarm, but can't be ruled out of a top three finish.

HAAMI Looked solid enough finishing fifth to King of Kings in the 2000 Guineas. But question marks remain about his stamina, and racing's most famous mile-and-a-half could prove too tough.

Capable of a serious bid if it can stay the course.

HIGH-RISE Breezed to victory in a Pontefract maiden, then kept up the momentum by stepping up a class to beat Sadian by a neck in the Coloroll Derby Trial at Lingfield.

That race has thrown up serious Epsom contenders in the past - including the stable's 1988 winner Kahayasi - and High-Rise could be up there, despite a distinct lack of interest on the betting front.

KING OF KINGS Featuring well in the betting at 10-1, he was always highly-regarded as a juvenile and underlined the potential by beating Lend A Hand in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas.

Has the energy to stay the course, King of Kings could be just that on the big day as jockey Pat Eddery chases his fourth Derby triumph.

MUTAMAM Finished third in the Racing Post Trophy as a juvenile, also looked in pretty good shape when returning to come second by half a length to Rabah in a Goodwood listed race.

But despite those two shows, the demands of Derby day look just too much.

SADIAN Best not get too excited about this one. Triumphed in a low-profile race at Bath, and was solid enough when losing to High-Rise by a neck in the Coloroll Derby trial at Lingfield.

He will have to find a lot more if he is to figure prominently in the big one and gain revenge over High-Rise and co.

SARATOGA SPRINGS Making a rapid return after claiming a respectable fourth of 13 to Dream Well in the French Derby at Chantilly last Sunday.

That form cannot be disregarded, but the field for the Derby looks stronger than the outing across the Channel.

SECOND EMPIRE Quoted as favourite for the showdown for much of the week, but bookmakers reported a decline in interest as the race approached.

Clearly a classic prospect when winning the Group One Grand Criterium at Longchamp, but was a disappointing third to Desert Prince in the Hibernia Foods Irish 2000 Guineas. Odds may drift on Michael Kinane riding his second Derby winner.

SUNSHINE STREET Hard to imagine the sun shining on this one in front of the cheering thousands.

Some decent form, notably finishing second in the Derby trial at Leopardstown, but it would be quite extraordinary if he could break his duck and chalk a first win here.

THE GLOW-WORM Fought well to claim a short-head second to Gulland in the Chester Vase, having earlier beaten Achille by a length-and-a-half in the Blue Riband Trial over this course and distance.

But jockey Darryll Holland is likely to find the field just a little too tough in his third Derby outing.